Connecticut Tigers manager Howard Bushong

Connecticut Tigers manager Howard Bushong has a long history of coaching young players. He began his coaching career at Austin Westlake High School in Texas, where he served as head coach for 11 years. In 1990, Bushong jumped to the college ranks, joining the University of Texas as an assistant to legendary coach Cliff Gustafson. He later served as head coach at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University).

Bushong got his start in professional baseball as manager of the Arizona League (AZL) Padres in 2000. His team finished in last place with a dismal 17-38 record.

The following year, Bushong joined the Tigers organization as manager of the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Tigers. His team fared much better, finishing with a 34-26 record, good for second place in the Northern Division. Bushong’s Tigers struggled the following year, finishing 23-37, 16 games behind the the Northern Division champion Phillies.

2003 marked Bushong’s third and final season as manager of the GCL Tigers. His team finished 28-29, 8.5 games behind the Northern Division champion Pirates.

During his three years as manager of the GCL Tigers, Bushong managed several future big leaguers, including Brandon Inge, Jair Jurrjens and Ryan Raburn.

Bushong left professional baseball after the 2003 season to return to Texas State, where he served as an assistant coach.

In 2009, Bushong ended his professional baseball hiatus, accepting the Tigers’ offer to manage their New York-Penn League affiliate, the Oneonta Tigers. Bushong’s O-Tigers finished the 2009 season with a 35-39 record, good for second place in the Stedler Division.

Overall, Bushong has compiled a 137-169 record (.448 winning percentage) in his five years as a manager in professional baseball.